Household indebtedness increasing
Latest data from the Reserve Bank shows that financial liabilities have risen to 147% of households’ disposable income.
New Zealanders owe banks and non-bank lenders a combined total of $202.798 billion.
They have total financial assets of $265.309 billion, with superannuation savings worth $42.742 billion, life insurance of just under $6 billion, managed funds of $35.189 billion and direct domestic equities worth $24.714 billion.
What will concern the Reserve Bank is that financial liabilities seem to have reversed the trend seen over the past couple of years. While liabilities dropped from 153% of disposable income in 2008 to 143% in 2011, they are now back to 147%.
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